Lithuanian FM: Ukraine’s closer ties with EU not detrimental to Armenia

November 14, 2013 - 17:40 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Ukraine is not only a geographic part of Europe: the Eastern Partnership project won’t be as impressive without the country’s involvement, said Linas Linkevicius, foreign minister of Lithuania which currently chairs the EU.

As he noted in an interview with vieuws.eu ahead of the EU summit in Vilnius, “EU’s closer ties with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia don’t in the least suggest exacerbating relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus.”

In conclusion he also stressed the necessity of preserving ties with Russia.

Armenia completed technical talks on a ‘deep and comprehensive free-trade agreement' (DCFTA) with the EU in July and it was set to be signed at a summit with the EU in late November. In addition to a free-trade deal, Armenia has been working towards the signing of an association agreement with the EU, a framework agreement on co-operation that is seen as a first step towards political integration with the EU.

However, during a Sept 3 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Armenian leader Sargsyan said Armenia is ready to join Customs Union, with further plans to be involved in formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. Mr. Putin supported the initiative, vowing procedural assistance to Armenia.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt described Armenia’s intention as a U-turn in relations with the European Union. “Seems as if Armenia will break talks on free trade agreement with EU and integrate with Russia instead,” he said.

Linas Linkevicius, the Foreign Minister of Lithuania, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said Armenia “has blocked its chances of signing a free trade deal with the European Union by choosing to join the Russia-led union.” “We respect any choice of countries but they cannot enter both organizations at the same time because of different tariff requirements,” he said.

However, Armenian leadership continues expressing intention to expand ties with the EU, which won't contradict Armenia's CU membership.

Related links:

http://www.vieuws.eu

Eastern Partnership

The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is the first comprehensive initiative introduced into the system of the European Union’s external relations, addressed to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The Eastern Partnership is designed to help the countries of Eastern Europe and South Caucasus with their approximation to and integration with the European Union. The EaP has injected a new quality into relations between the EU and the countries covered by the initiative through their gradual integration with the European Union.